Newsletter #99 - 50 web marketing tips, how to choose accounting software...

In this week's Business121:

1. 50 web marketing tips for small businesses
2. How to choose accounting software for small businesses
3. Companies Act 2006 & derivative claims by shareholders

Small Business News

4. Telephone still the most important networking tool in business
5. New web service aimed at promoting local businesses
6. Top 20 role models for today's female entrepreneurs
7. Enterprise Capital Funds to boost small business investment
8. Business North West exhibition takes place on 21st-22nd November
9. Is business confidence starting to slide?

50 Web Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

As more and more small businesses decide to go online, competition for space in the all important Top 10 rankings in Google gets fiercer by the day.

Despite what many technophobes may think, web marketing isn't rocket science. Providing you do the right research, create a content-rich, regularly updated website, and exchange links wisely with other sites in similar industries, there's no reason why Google shouldn't reward you with some targeted (and more importantly - free) web traffic.

As with all other aspects of running a small company, promoting your online presence requires perseverance and time as well as the know-how.

There are a large number of factors which determine how search engines regard the importance of a website - from the number of other sites linking in, to how closely a web page "title" relates to the actual content of the page. Other factors, such as how long the site has been up and running, and how the pages are structured and linked together, are also important.

Using our own experience at running and marketing business sites over the past 8 years, we've uploaded our Top 50 web marketing tips for start-ups - what you should do to get your business site noticed, and what to avoid.

You can read our 2-part guide here:
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/promotion/7_6/top-50-web-marketing-tips.shtml

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How to choose accounting software for small businesses
The accounts software package that you choose when you start your business could affect how much financial control you have in the years to come. How to choose accounting software, including links to the leading providers.

Companies Act 2006 & derivative claims by shareholders
Stephan Weber of Sykes Anderson LLP discusses the new statutory provisions under the Companies Act 2006 in respect of derivative claims by shareholders.

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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Telephone still the most important networking tool in business
New research shows that the telephone is still the most dominant networking tool in business. However, there seems to be a clear generational difference with younger entrepreneurs preferring to network online.

New web service aimed at promoting local businesses
A new web service, launched this month, enables businesses to reach out to local customers and promote any number of special offers at no cost.

Top 20 role models for today's female entrepreneurs
A number of leading celebrities, including Margaret Thatcher, Delia Smith, JK Rowling and Posh Spice are considered role models by many of today's leading female entrepreneurs.

Enterprise Capital Funds to boost small business investment
A new round of Enterprise Capital Funds have been announced by the Government. Three new groups will receive £60 million in an effort to tackle the lack of investment backing currently available to small companies.

Business North West exhibition takes place on 21st-22nd November
Business decision-makers and SMEs are gathering this week for the opening of the Business North West exhibition and BEX conference. The event runs today and tomorrow (21st and 22nd November).

Is business confidence starting to slide?
According to two new business opinion surveys, the "credit crunch" and the weakening of the global financial markets has shaken business confidence in the UK.

** For the latest Small Business News, visit http://www.Bytestart.co.uk **

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